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Hurricane Matthew is history, that’s the good news. In my last post I described the feeling of uncertainty as the category 4 beast approached our coast. And the more you listened to the news and our state leaders the more of a nail-biter it became.

Houses were boarded, electric generators bought, water and food supplies were stacked and the arrival of Matthew became a nervous waiting game. This hurricane had the potential of devastating property and killing people. Finally the sustained winds and gusts began.

I don’t know of many people who slept through the night.

It was somewhere between midnight and 3am when our family could hear and sometimes even feel the power of the wind inside our well protected block fortress. Bibles were read and prayers were made… before, during, and after the storm. Our hope was in the One who can calm the storm.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

In other words, this God of absolute power will clearly make Himself known to each of us to help us when we find ourselves in distress. And that’s exactly what He did for us.

Graciously God shocked and confused the weather forecasters in our area when He pushed Matthew a few miles away from us. We had missed a direct hit!

God answers prayers!!

The bad news has to do with assessing the damage after the storm, cleaning up the mess, and repairing whatever’s broken.

There were power-outages, broken roofs and fences, and sinking boats but compared to lives being spared that means very little.

You may be wondering, “Ok, so what’s the great way of doing life after a hurricane?”

Three words: Live trusting God!

Some years back a group of us helped a married couple after a massive tornado hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their house had flooded and they lost much. But they had held on to each other during the tornado and were still holding on to their faith afterwards.

Always remember that God is the Go-To-One at anytime for anything. Let’s abbreviate that, God is our GTO!

If you’re into muscle cars (and who isn’t?) the GTO was hot in the sixties. It was slick, 4-speed, and had close to a 400 galloping horses under the hood. It gave those who had one an exciting ride. If you lived during that era you wanted a GTO. They were cool.

How about thinking of God as your divine GTO? Your Go-To-One? The Lord is powerful! Loving and trusting Him is the best, coolest thing, we can ever do. And, the exciting ride/life He gives us is beyond compare.

Why make Bible reading and praying with intensity (the way it happened before the storm) a thing of the past?

The challenge for all of us is to keep a solid relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ going on a daily basis.

Sadly, many wait for some threatening looming disaster to happen before they get close to God. If that’s you, why not make Him a part of your life when all is well?

Trust me, if it’s not a category 4 hurricane approaching it will be another form of storm that will hit you and me. It’s inevitable. Junk happens to us all!

Setting a daily one on one time with the One, Jesus, who loves us most will keep us always ready for what may come. It doesn’t mean we won’t be momentarily rattled by tough situations but that His peace will guard our hearts and souls even in the midst of difficulties.

As hurricane Matthew roared in the Atlantic and headed straight our way my wife had this unusual peace and calm about her. I use the term unusual because it was obviously divine and supernatural, coming straight from God. It’s how He works. It’s the great way to do life when we follow Him.

Please feel free to leave me a comment.

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So…here we go, baby, hurricane Matthew is approaching. When you live in the Florida coast hurricanes are anticipated and even expected although you wish they never happen.

I have some friends who lived through the horror of hurricane Andrew when it came through south Florida many years ago. After dealing with the devastation they uprooted and moved to my neck of the woods. Nowadays when the man hears of a hurricane coming he just packs up his junk and drives off to somewhere else. Even if what’s coming is a category 1 he doesn’t care. There’s a deep sense of respect in him about a serious storm.

Last time a hurricane passed through town our family was without electricity for 2 weeks. Not fun! We took many cold showers and ate lots of vienna sausages. But we survived, thank the Lord. Our neighbor across the street ran a super long extension cord from his house to mine (they had power) so we could run a fan in the Florida heat. But we were miserable nonetheless.

During my childhood in the little island of Puerto Rico my family and I endured many a hurricanes and floods. In an island you have nowhere to go so you hunker down and hope for the best. My dad used to say to us kids that during the hurricane he was going to open the front door of our home, stand there, and sing a song to the blowing wind. I think he was just trying to calm us children down.

So, how can you know that you are perfectly ready for hurricane Matthew (or for any other storm)? Please keep in mind that this is just my take on it.

I think that first and foremost you want to face the storm with faith. Know deep in your heart that God is near and that He is in total control of all things.

There’s a story in the Bible about a time Jesus was asleep in a boat while his disciples stayed awake. A furious storm developed and the disciples freaked out. They woke Jesus up from his nice siesta and…

“Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.” (Matthew 8:26 NLT)

It takes the sea a while to go from choppy to calm but at Jesus’ words the sea instantly became flat like a pancake. Jesus’ power is mind blowing!

My faith, and I hope yours, must rest in God being Lord of the storm. Pray to Him, trust Him, and hold on to Him.

Once the spiritual aspect of facing hurricanes is out of the way you’ve got to get physically ready.

I’m writing this 2 days before Matthew is supposed to skirt our shoreline. There are lines of cars already jamming up gas stations. Store shelves once full of bottled water are becoming empty.

Earlier I got some propane gas for my grill just in case. I am also well stocked with canned goods (like viennas) and batteries.

Our handy-dandy battery operated storm radio will once again reappear and loose items will be brought inside so they don’t go flying in the wind. Some just throw their pool furniture into the pool and dive for them after the storm.

So there you have it. Oh, I have plywood ready to cover my windows if the forecast calls for it.

When playing hide and seek as a kid the one counting would yell to the ones hiding, “Ready or not here I come.”

In my section of the world hurricanes are going to come, we just have to be ready for them. Who knows, I may bravely stand by the opened door of my home and sing a song to Matthew… but I seriously doubt it.

What’s your thought about coming hurricanes? Please leave me a comment.

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There’s something gloomy and melancholic about a beach scene at sunset. Maybe it has to do with the never ending roll and crash of waves or the lonely sandpiper running back and forth from the water. Add to scene the dreadful sound seagulls make and it will all squeeze your heart.

Fall weather tends to have the same kind of effect on a soul. Cooler wind blowing and leaves falling can leave us a little misty.

Life is not easy. And when it doesn’t turn out the way you hoped for, YIKES! Throw into the mix praying and not getting the answers you hope for and you’ll be sinking into a muck of despair. No bueno!

I saw something one time that has helped me when prayers seem unanswered.

We were going through some serious turbulence. The plane shook. Then we hit some sort of atmospheric vacuum that made us passengers feel like we were dropping straight down a roller coaster ride.

But then all of a sudden there was calm. The pilot had climbed above the clouds. As I looked out the window I saw beautiful deep blue skies! I wish I would have taken a picture of it but cell phones had not yet been invented.

It looked like the storm had become a fluffy rug under us with with the sun shining above us.

When you go through tough times remember that the sun is always shining beyond your storm clouds.

(Photo Credit: Lukasz Lada, StockSnap.io)

A Bible verse comes to mind: “You changed my sorrow into dancing. You took away my clothes of sadness,     and clothed me in happiness.” Psalm 30:11 (NCV)

If at the moment you’re reading this you can’t see the sun because of the clouds ask the Lord for a quick burst of Sonshine to brighten your day… ok, I agree, that sounds a little cheesy. However, Jesus Christ has a way of helping us discover a greater good coming out of the bad.

A guy I knew confessed to the jury he faced, “I’ve prayed more in the last few days than I have in the last few years.” Being caught in his wrongdoing had led him back to God.

My dad battled a brain tumor that sent him to heaven in 3 quick months. Before the cancer took over his mind  he led more people to saving faith in Christ than at any other time in his life. It was powerful to see. Of course that didn’t take away the pain of seeing my dad’s body deteriorate but it reminded me of God’s greater good.

And God be blessed for His promises, my sadness has turned to happiness as I look forward to seeing him again alive and well up in heaven where we will spend some great times together forever.

I had a church member years ago who went through a quadruple bypass. Before surgery this man was negative and critical, nitpicking everything we did at church. He even wrote his complaints in a little black book he carried around in his shirt pocket. Then, during deacon meetings, he would open the dreaded book and spew out its poison. If you’re a pastor you’re grinning as you read this because you’ve been there as well.

After surgery everything changed! The man’s frown became a smile. He became my encourager. He even told me he loved going for walks around his neighborhood admiring the flowers. WHAAATTT? I say the more bypasses the better. Just kidding.

Maybe you’re going through rough times and your prayers are not being answered as you wish. Hang in there. Look for the Son to shine in your heart once again. It will happen. He promised!

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(Photo Credit: Brandon Morgan, Unsplash)

Living in the lightning capital of the world has its advantages. You get to experience first hand the fury, or better yet, the beauty of the heavens.

Late afternoon yesterday was such a day for me. I had heard thunder’s distant rumble in my office, checked my hand-dandy android’s storm tracker, and decided it was time to go home. I got there just in time before the heavens opened and roared. It was intense!

At one moment it seemed like lightning had come into my living room. The lights flickered, the dogs shook, and I jumped. And although my 60 inch television set was off it got fried nonetheless. Bummer! (and all before Monday Night Football too)

I found out later that a lightning bolt had struck a big tree in the yard next door. (below)

Notice charcoaled middle limb. The broken limb was actually split in two by the electrical jolt.

God’s power is literally out of this world!

Keep in mind that Benjamin Franklin did not invent electricity. God master minded it so others could discover it.

Lightning is one of those not so subtle little reminders of God.

I remember one July 4th celebration. Our family was at the beach along with many others enjoying a powerful display of fireworks. They were being shot a few feet away from us and exploding right over our heads. It was exhilarating. When the fireworks store owner was done with his show the crowd roared.

The clouds had been building in the Gulf of Mexico and most people had already left the beach when thunder rolled from above. The sound was deep and loud and the walls of the beachfront condo we were staying at shook. It was as if the Lord was saying, “It’s my turn now.” God then proceeded to create a brilliant lightning display over the water and it was beyond description.

What does this have to do with giving your day a powerful jolt? Everything!

If you’re like me, sometimes days just drag along slowly. We have become so immerse in the mundane of daily routine that it is easy to miss the wonder happening around us.

My wife and I were stopped at a red light the other day. There was a young man coming out of an establishment wanting me to let him in. I waved at him to go in front of me and he started to point at something happening above and just beyond our car. There were several couples of parrots sitting on the power lines chirping.

It was a stunning sight. I looked back at him and he was  still pointing with a great big smile. I nodded, smiled back, and gave him the thumbs up.

Had it not been for that young man paying attention to his surroundings we would have missed the great sight.

All I’m saying is that, like those, there are moments throughout your day capable of giving your hum-drum existence a jolt: it may be nature oriented (like that thunder bolt, or those parrots, or something unique a squirrel is doing), or a friend’s text that makes you smile, or an image in the web, or something silly that happens at the office.

Pay attention. Look around. Take life in.

Life is too short to miss out on the good stuff and God will use it all to refresh you when you need it most.

Please feel free to share with me a unique moment that gave your life a jolt.

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A few days ago I was eating breakfast in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at one of my favorite breakfast places in the world, La Bombonera. The pastries there just melt in your mouth!

My wife ordered coffee with her pastries and it was brewed in the biggest shiniest coffee machine I’ve ever seen (above picture). The machine’s claim to fame is that it’s 104 years old, but it doesn’t look it. Yes, it has a few visible dings here and there but still works like a charm. Forever young would be a good way to describe that ‘bad boy’.

Forever young is the quest of our times but sadly the world only focuses on outside appearance. The problem is that you can’t stop the aging process. Your flap will eventually flop. It’s unavoidable.

The readiness and excitement of youthfulness is a matter of the heart and mind. However, it’s easy to lose one’s passion.

Pastors, like everyone else, easily get discouraged. Sometimes we don’t see the results we hoped for and our personal dreams seem to remain far from our grasp. Then, when we forget that God is the only One responsible for changing lives we feel like failures when folks don’t respond to Him as they should. The condition of the Christian church universal saddens us, the sinful actions of preachers/ministers break our hearts, and our own sin and failure debilitates us. Please don’t misunderstand, this is not a complaint but an open window into the heart of pastors and their families.

In fact it’s easy for anyone to lose focus and passion, even hope. You may not be a pastor but for whatever reason you’ve lost the zeal for life you once had. I want to share with you something I read recently that helped me and I’m sure it’s going to help you as well. This is good stuff! It was written close to three thousand years ago,

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

Most people are looking for just that, a daily dose of fresh strength. You may be one of them.

The word ‘wait’ has nothing to do with doing nothing. It’s actually a verb. It has to do with twisting and stretching something in order to make it strong. The word also has to do with anticipating something good.

Think of kids at Christmas or getting a present during your birthday. You’re told, “Close your eyes and open your hands.” And you’re so excited that you just can’t wait to get whatever. You want to open your eyes but you’re told, “Wait for it, wait for it…” and that’s what you do. Aren’t there some incredible feelings attached to that waiting?

That’s the kind of anticipating the prophet was describing. It’s an edge of your chair looking for what all God has for you next. Keep in mind, this is a promise God made to all of us who love Him. I challenge you,

Rediscover the joy of living by every day expecting the Lord to bring something good your way. (Tweet that)

A ray of sunshine broke through my office window a while back revealing something I had not seen, a spider’s web. (below)

That spider was waiting for some delicious bug to get caught in her stretched web. Part of her waiting, though, involved adding new silk threads to her complex web network.

We need to keep doing our best at everything (job, family, school, etc) while at the same time looking forward to the thrill of getting a hold of what God is brewing for is.

I call that the thrill of hope and it’s worth getting up and living for.

What other ways of refreshment have you found helpful when you find yourself losing steam? Please leave me a comment.

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(Photo Credit: Pixabay)

I am a nut about coin change. A lot of people hate change but I love it and want more of it.

When the item costs $3.01 I’ll give the cashier $4. Then the question, “Sir, do you have one cent?” My response, “Nah, I want the ninety nine cents change.” At that point the cashier looks at me funny and gives me the “you’re weird look.” But that’s ok.

All I want to do is pocket those coins and put them in a ginormous coin bank I have at home. It’s an ancient plastic bottle with the picture of once feared Goldberg on it.

The guy’s lovely screaming face pasted in front of it hide the coins from view but there are a lot of them in there. And I’m carrying the whole thing to the bank. Needless to say I will get stares at the place but I don’t care. Before the days of debit cards one load of coins translated into over four hundred dollars.

I realize that not a lot of people use cash anymore, but if you do try this for several months (even a couple of years). It’s a fun way to save a little even if you haven’t been too disciplined at saving money. Plus, you may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

You may be wondering, “What does any of this have to do with a leadership principle that will empower me and add value to my people?” Everything!

Through the years I’ve taught my wife, kids, and church leaders the principle of ‘Change In Your Pocket.’ I heard it first at a conference years ago.

Whether you’re a pastor, leader in an organization or you find yourself in the middle of a pack of employees, this principle will empower you and raise you up as a leader.

The idea is simple. Just imagine every time you make a good decision at work or do something positive or of value to others it’s like them giving you change that you put in your pocket. Remember, no actual money is changing hands, it’s all in your mind.

Whenever you genuinely love someone or say a word of encouragement or help someone in need or go out of your way for another just because you care, that person will respond by giving you change for your pocket. Hugs, thank you’s, smiles translate into change in your pocket.

At the end of the day, you want to have a big load of change in your pocket!

On the other hand, whenever you do something selfish or make a poor decision that results in some kind of loss or you say words that hurt others, the result is people asking for some of the change they gave you earlier, back.

Your goal is to always have change in your pocket even after you’ve had to give some back. The moment you lose all your change you’re done. Losing change is like losing credibility, trust, and respect.

I was forced to ask for someone’s resignation once because he kept making poor decisions. The first few times it happened it was all forgiven and training followed because the employee had prior change in his pocket (he had made some good choices in the past). But repeated offenses demanded change from his pocket again and again and eventually he ran out of change.

You never want to run out of change in your pocket!

Let me summarize, you get change in your pocket when you go all out for those around you. When you bless and care for others as the Lord would it raises your leadership in their eyes.

Great leaders have a pocket full of change!

Can you share another leadership principle? Please leave me a comment. And if you want to automatically receive my posts in your email please subscribe the blog. Thanks!

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There was a nation-wide collective gasp a few days ago.  You may not have heard it audibly but you may have sensed it as millions of NFL fans wives realized football is back.

By no means am I generalizing that all wives hate football. My darling wife is one who enjoys sports. The majority of wives, however, don’t look forward to the season. A wife told me once, “My 6 month home prison sentence is about to begin.”

As millions gasped in concern, millions like me were singing, “Tis the season to be jolly!”

So, I want to help those who feel like life has come to a sudden crash halt by helping you understand the mind of a football fan. I’ll do that by answering some common questions you may have.

Question: What is so appealing about big guys in uniforms and pads chasing a ball?

Answer: Nothing really! But we boys like big hits, taunting, crowds going crazy, and players rumbling, stumbling, mumbling, fumbling. It’s hard to explain.

Question: Isn’t fantasy football just make believe anyway?

Answer: It’s a great escape from the reality of life. Others turn to books or yoga or exercise or shopping as an escape. Some even hunt for Pokemon.

Fantasy footballers imagine owning a franchise of pro players. (IMPORTANT: never utter the words, “It’s only a game” to your sports fan. Them are fighting words! We’re serious about it.)

Question: Does God really care about football?

Answer: Ah, theology. Finally. I want to think that God likes the Miami Dolphins but honestly I’m not sure He cares about football in general. However, He does care about what we do. The Bible says,

“You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]… You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:2-3, Amp)

In other words, God knows the details of our lives. That is a comforting thought!

The Lord is keenly aware of everything I do including my love for football, and He is ok with it. (Tweet that)

Question: Watching football is such a waste of time. Shouldn’t we be doing something else with our time?

Answer: To be honest, any tv watching (crime shows, the Kardashians, History channel shows) can be a waste of time if it keeps family members from communicating or interacting. If it’s true that the average American watches tv more than 5 hours a day, then watching football is no different than any other day.

So, how do you tackle your NFL woes? 

First, make Sunday Fun Day for you. You can choose to completely detach yourself from your football craving mate or spend some of the time with him/her. Your company, even if for a short while, will be much appreciated. My wife browses internet sites, crochets scarves to send to our military abroad, or even take a nap while I’m in my fantasy zone. But at least she’s in the room with me. 

Second, become an NFL fashionista. Have fun dressing your kids with team logo clothes. Also wear football jerseys,  team logo t-shirts, and even team colors on your face. I understand that may be a little too extreme  but your husband is going to see you and think you’re hotter than the wings he’s about to munch on.

Third, think of fun snack suppers to do with your football crew (family) on game nights. 

Fourth, and most importantly, pray that God helps you with the long season ahead. He is able!

Fifth, ask questions about fantasy and the game. That starts a conversation and may even spark your interest in the game.

I realize I didn’t even mention college football but the same applies.

Don’t let this season eat you up inside. Do what you can to make it a positive experience.  

What can you add to the list? Please leave me a comment. 

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Can you say, “Are you ready for some football?” It’s only the preseason, I know, but we fans are a wee-bit excited. Adrenalin is rushing through our veins already.

When a Nascar race is about to start, Darrell Waltrip yells out, “Boogity, boogity, boogity!” Football fans are not that creative, we just go, “Yeah, baby…where the chips and dip at?”

We start wearing our tattered jerseys, t-shirts, team logo hats, and bring out our team logo koozies (them are actually like Christmas lights left hanging year-round; we use them 24/7).

That excitement is raised several notches when you’re into Fantasy Football (FF) like I am. We buy magazines,  do web team roster research, and are thinking, talking, dreaming FF. And Draft Day? We’ve waited 6 months for it.

You may ask, “But… aren’t you a pastor?” It may surprise you how many pastors are into FF. In fact, our draft day happens in our church’s youth building.

Not everyone loves FF, though. I’ve met several wives that seriously dread and absolutely despise this time of the year. My next post will hopefully encourage them. But for now, I want to share with you the right FF strategy to have so you can crush it this year.

BTW, I am a 10 Team Keeper League Champion. Our league trophy, ‘The Widow Maker’, has my name on it. Just saying! (see pic above)

Ok, so I want to help you out.

The key to success (not only in FF but in life) is to pace yourself. (Tweet that) This is critically important. You need to have a list of priorities you live by. Mine are as follows:

1. God – He always deserves top spot in all we do. There’s a Bible verse that goes, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Corinthians 10:31 NLT, emphasis mine)
2. Family – my wife and children deserve my loving attention.
3. Work/church – for me these 2 are tied together, after all, I am a preacher. But even if you’re not in a church related vocation make sure Sunday church worship with your family high on your list. God blesses those who honor Him! Also honor the Lord in whatever you do for a living.

Once you have a good grip on those then it’s game on.

As you get ready for Draft Day (ours includes pizza, chips, drinks, world famous tater salad, and dessert) keep this short strategy in mind:

• Concentrate on the now – last season is in the past. The fact that one player was tearing it up last year may be a sign of good things to come but not necessarily.
• Follow a few mock drafts to see where the players you like are being drafted. This year there’s a good crop of 2nd tier QB’s so don’t draft one too early. Be wise.
• Keep up with injuries. You don’t want to be like my buddy Gene who drafted a guy that was out for the season. Ouch!
• Research players strength of schedule, especially late in the season.
• Pick players with the most value.
• Draft players with upside.
• Remember that seasons are often won or lost in the middle rounds of the draft. Have your dream team in mind.
• Read, read, read.
• On draft day my wife (she is also my team’s GM) makes a point to say, “Stick to your game-plan” as I walk out the door. You do the same.

To whoever invented FF, “Live long and prosper!” And to fantasy footballers everywhere, “Have a great season!”

What’s your FF strategy? Please leave me a comment.

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Whenever I meet a pastor and his wife for the first time, I often ask her, “How are you doing at that church? How are they treating you?”

One of the most misunderstood and undervalued people around is the pastor’s wife.

Pastor’s may have a tough job but she carries a heavier load. She sees him struggle behind closed doors, senses his broken heart, shares his tears and must keep it all inside by necessity. There’s too much at risk in opening up to just anyone. So she takes her place on Sundays as usual and smiles.

Do you ever wonder how many hearts are breaking behind a smile on any given Sunday morning?

In many churches the pastor’s wife has a target on her back… and so do her children. My wife and I have experienced it. Thank God for churches that love and protect their pastor and his wife. We are in one of them at the present!

Maybe you’re not a pastor’s wife but you too know the hurt I’m referring to. You’ve been dragging around open emotional wounds that make your skies seem gray.

Of course I’m not necessarily referring to deeply-seated issues of the heart that may require professional help. I’m thinking more about what someone said or did that set you off that you can’t shake off.

I have a faint memory of a classic cartoon family that had a lightning storm cloud following them wherever they went. Is that you?

The apostle Paul wrote a statement that could clear the forecast in your life today and every day. He wrote,

‘For if a man [or woman] is in Christ he [she] becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new.’ (2Corinthians 5:17, PHILLIPS, italics mine)

Read that passage again slowly please… let it sink deep. Internalize it. Digest it.

What if we began each day thinking that there’s something fresh and new waiting for us? It would result fresh new confidence and enthusiasm about what lies ahead.

But what do you do with those nagging thoughts eating you up inside?

Here’s something you can do that gives you a visual about dumping what bugs you so you can enjoy life the way God designed it.

First, on a piece of paper specifically name what is eating you up inside. You could simply write something like,

Lord, I’ve been holding on to ______. By your name and in your strength I am letting go of it. Help me, Lord.

Second, pull that page off your notebook and crumple it into a ball.

Stump on it, rip it into itty bitty pieces if you like.

Third, throw that trash in the trash. Let that crumpled paper make friends with last night’s chicken bones and the week old stale bread pudding you had to chuck because no one liked it.

Fourth, take the trash bag outside with a prayer,

Lord, thank you for making me new in Jesus. Please give me a fresh start. I don’t want to hold on to this anymore.

Fifth, if you’re home when trash pick up reaches your house, wave it good bye.

Sixth, next time your mind wants to go back there (to the trash), tell your mind where to go, back to your new you.

Your past is where it needs to be, in the past. Leave it there. Don’t hold on to negative feelings. Let them go so  God can replace them with His joy.

How do you get rid of what bugs you? Please leave me a comment.

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While at the beach the other day I was watching a little ghost crab at work. He labored intensely for hours taking sand out of his sandy burrow.

It reminded me of the daily grind we are all in. For us pastors, the job is a 24/7. Sometimes people ask, “How was your day off?” I reply with a smile, “What day off?” A pastor’s work is so multifaceted.

I am a minister of etcetera!

From studying and preaching to being by the bedside of the dying to cleaning toilets (if the need arises) a pastor has to be willing and ready for anything. It’s the nature of the beast! Ministry can be extremely draining and is often discouraging so it must be effectively managed daily.

You may not be a pastor but your career demands are taking a toll. And if you’re a stay-at-home parent the load, at times, is overwhelming.

How do you give your day a powerful boost? Get unplugged.

Unplugged? I’m referring to moments during your day that emotionally and psychologically take you to a happy place in your mind. If you’re into electronics think of it as a quick reboot that resets your happiness system.

In a way, unplugging is similar to  ‘me time.’

I did a quick research of ‘me time’ only to find that 100% of the articles and blogs I came across focused strictly on women…kind of disappointing.

Hey, I can lose myself in a warm Victoria’s Secrets bubble bath like the next guy (or girl). But what about finding refreshment (some me time) during the daily grind?

I remember when Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31 NLT)

For all practical purposes the word ‘rest’ was like a pause, a time-out from the daily pressure cooker the Lord and His disciples found themselves in.

Yes! A time-out for the brain is what you and I are after, a mental pause in that office of yours, cubicle, or wherever you do whatever you do.

Keep in mind that unplugging doesn’t have to mean isolation from others. Although it’s easier to meditate when you isolate you can still become raptured while in the middle of a crowd.

Recently, while at Megacon, I became unplugged! Although there were thousands of people there, the stress of life was relieved as my head seemed like on a swivel taking in all the sights and sounds.

You may be thinking, “Awesome, but my work is more like Megabore. And the atmosphere is Megatense. Beyond that, there’s Megadrama going on among employees.”

My reply: Get unplugged. Make it happen, otherwise no one is going to do it for you.

Unplugging may be as simple as pushing your chair back and silently re-connecting with your Maker in prayer. That’s a power boost for sure.

Accomplishing manageable short term goals during your day is another way to unplug. Concentrate on making things happen.

I was recently helping file countless of papers at my wife’s work. After a while I got unplugged from the drudgery of filing by focusing on short stacks and turning on some Aerosmith (I’m not your stereotypical pastor). Then I was in the zone (the filing zone, if there is such a thing) I was having such a time I was even asked to tone it down some!

Unplug yourself! Think of that person that makes you smile. Face time that person for 1 minute. It’ll make a world of good.

You can also do a brief unplug by taking a few moments to day dream about something exciting you have coming up. Unplugged! It works!

How do you unplug?